Medina County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Clark Springs, TX to Rhode Island, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 4m
Distance
379.2 mi
610 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 53m
★
6 AM
7h 5m
8 AM
7h 27m
10 AM
7h 12m
12 PM
7h 10m
3 PM
7h 14m
5 PM
7h 26m
8 PM
6h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Clark Springs, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Trip Overview
Fort Clark Springs to Rhode Island, TX is 379.2 miles and takes about 7h 4m via Purple Heart Trail, East US Highway 90, and State Highway 31, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your trip. It's a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward, single-day excursion across Texas. The route is mostly surface roads with a significant portion on highways, so be prepared for a mixed driving experience. With only two planned stops and a longest stretch of 155.2 miles, you can cover a lot of ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
189.6 miles from Fort Clark Springs, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 155.2 mi | 2h 45m |
| East US Highway 90 | 75.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| State Highway 31 | 35.8 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 90 East | 25.4 mi | 29m |
| I 45 | 19.8 mi | 19m |
| Connally Loop | 19.8 mi | 22m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 155.2 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,916 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~672 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Clark Springs, TX and Rhode Island, TX.
1
Start on Colony Row
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Colony Row
2
Turn right onto McClernand Road
372 ft
·
21 sec
·
McClernand Road
3
Turn left onto Fort Clark Road
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Fort Clark Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 90
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Military Highway
5
Continue on US 90
37 mi
·
42 min
·
East US Highway 90
6
Continue on US 90
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Main Street
7
Continue on US 90
38 mi
·
43 min
·
East US Highway 90
8
Continue on US 90
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
19th Street
9
Continue on US 90
25 mi
·
29 min
·
US Highway 90 East
10
Continue on US 90
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Cleto Rodriguez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 410 North, TX 16 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 410; TX 16
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35 North: Austin
14
Merge onto I 35
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
22
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Waco Drive
23
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
24
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East US Highway 84
25
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
26
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
27
Continue on TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 31
28
Turn right onto TX 31
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto South Interstate 45
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Interstate 45
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
31
Merge onto I 45
20 mi
·
19 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
307 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Interstate 45
34
Turn left onto FM 833
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 833
35
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North State Highway 75
36
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East FM 833
37
Turn right onto County Road 161
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
County Road 161
38
Arrive at destination
County Road 161
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, departing in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive with daylight to spare. You've got two stops planned, and with the longest stretch being 155.2 miles, consider timing your breaks accordingly, perhaps one midway and another closer to your destination. The fuel cost is estimated at $55, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Fort Clark Springs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 155.2-mile segment on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 189.6 miles from Fort Clark Springs, TX, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 83 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.6 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhode Island, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Clark Springs, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Clark Springs, TX
This is one driving day of about 379.2 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Fort Clark Springs, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 155.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
190 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 189.6 miles from Fort Clark Springs, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 155.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Morgan's Wonderland
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+12104955888
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Final third
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteOwl Creek Farm
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: Closed
+12109681524
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 376.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Fort Clark Road
Turn left onto Fort Clark Road
Navigation decision point
7
111.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 410 North, TX 16 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 410 North, TX 16 North
6
201.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
303.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
7
376.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 59m in
Take the exit toward FM 833
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.94 one way
$103.88 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
133 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $58.01 | $116.03 |
| premium | $4.23 | $63.08 | $126.15 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $71.60 | $143.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.8 | 1 | $39.82 | $18.20 |
| Efficient EV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.18 | $15.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151.7 | 1 | $53.09 | $24.27 |
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Fort Clark Springs, TX
Late night in Fort Clark Springs on Monday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 10 mph
57% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Rhode Island, TX
Late night in Rhode Island on Monday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 0 to 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
San Marcos, TX
190 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 300.7
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 130.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive covers 379.2 miles and is about 47% highway. You'll experience a mixed highway and surface road profile, with the longest continuous stretch on Purple Heart Trail spanning 155.2 miles. Expect to transition between cruising on highways and navigating more local roads. The profile suggests you'll encounter areas with fewer exits and more rural cruising, especially as you move between the main highways and State Highway 31.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 155.2 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Fort Clark Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 379.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Fort Clark Road): Navigation decision point; at 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,152 ft
393 ft
Total Climb
527 ft
Total Descent
1,286 ft
Highest Point
1,152 ft
Elevation Range
759 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Fort Clark Springs, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Rhode Island, TX
Full guide →“The Ocean State” · Founded 1790
Rhode Island (RI) is the smallest state of the United States of America, tucked between Massachusetts and Connecticut in New England. Nonetheless, it has over 400 mi (640 km) of coastline, courtesy of Narragansett Bay and islands such as Aquidneck Island, home to Newport, the "City by the Sea". While Rhode Island contains the name "island" in its name, most of its area is not on an island.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 4m. Total distance: 379.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 155.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Rhode Island, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Fort Clark Road): Navigation decision point; at 111.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rhode Island, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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